'Project Nourished' is a simulated dining experience which fools users into
thinking they are eating delicious dishes

If you dream of being able to stuff your face with food without putting on weight, a new ‘simulated dining experience’ could be the answer to your prayers.

Project Nourished uses Oculus Rift, the virtual reality headsets, along with food aromas, to make users think that they are enjoying a range of delicious foods such as lasagne and steak.

In fact, they are actually eating low-calorie jelly-like food substitutes made from ingredients such as gum arabic and pectin.

Diners can also choose different settings to eat in at the flick of a button.

The project is being developed by Los-Angeles company Kokiri Lab. Founder Jinsoo An, 30, believes that it will not only be of interest to dieters, but to people who suffer from food allergies or conditions like diabetes, which mean they have to avoid eating certain foods.

“What makes this so unique is that the experience merges physical and virtual environments into one, which means you can still chew, feel, smell and taste, but without taking in calories," he told the Telegraph. "We think this experience could be used to allow people with obesity, diabetes or any dietary restrictions to eat anything they desire without the negative consequences."

Mr An says he was partially inspired by the 1991 film Hook. “When I was little, there was a scene that was really memorable to me, where Peter Pan learns to use his imagination to enjoy an elaborate feast. And then I asked myself, 'What if this imagination could be used for people suffering from diabetes like my stepdad?' That silly idea became Project Nourished.”

Virtual reality: diners wear Oculus Rift headsets

The experiment is still at an early stage, but Mr An hopes he will he able to demo it by the end of the year.